Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 17
Śānti-Śodhana-Kathana (Instruction on the Purification of Śānti) — Agni Purāṇa, Adhyāya 87
अस्त्रेण जुहुयात् पञ्च पाशाङ्कुशनिवृत्तये प्रायश्चित्तनिषेधाय दद्यादष्टाहुतीरथ
astreṇa juhuyāt pañca pāśāṅkuśanivṛttaye prāyaścittaniṣedhāya dadyādaṣṭāhutīratha
On offrira cinq oblations (āhuti) avec le mantra Astra afin d’écarter le lasso (pāśa) et l’aiguillon (aṅkuśa) qui lient ; puis, pour prévenir la nécessité d’autres expiations, on offrira huit oblations.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Homa-count prescriptions for removing binding implements (pāśa and aṅkuśa) and preventing further prāyaścitta: five āhutis with astra-mantra, then eight additional āhutis as a sealing/averting measure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-homa Counts: Pañcāhuti for Pāśāṅkuśa-nivṛtti and Aṣṭāhuti for Prāyaścitta-niṣedha","lookup_keywords":["astra-homa","pañcāhuti","pāśa","aṅkuśa","aṣṭāhuti"],"quick_summary":"Offer five oblations with the astra-mantra to remove the noose and goad (binding/compelling forces); then offer eight oblations to avert further expiatory requirements and stabilize the rite."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Prāyaścitta is not only remedial but preventable through correctly completed ritual measures (proper mantra + proper count).
Application: When a rite is threatened by ‘binding’ obstacles, complete the prescribed pañca- and aṣṭa-āhuti sequence to close the ritual and avoid cascading expiations.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agneya-vidya (Ritual Atonements and Homa Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire-altar scene where the practitioner offers five clearly counted oblations to dissolve a noose and goad symbol hovering above the fire, followed by eight further oblations forming a stabilizing ring of flame around the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic pāśa and aṅkuśa above the flames fading with each of five offerings, then eight flame-petals forming a protective lotus-ring, traditional bold outlines and sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed fire and vessels, five and eight offerings indicated by small gold markers, pāśa and aṅkuśa rendered as ornate icons dissolving into light, rich temple aesthetic.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic numbered oblations (1–5, 1–8) around the homa-kuṇḍa, clear depiction of ladle movement, labels ‘nivṛtti’ and ‘niṣedha’, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, sequential narrative in one frame: first cluster of five offerings with fading rope and goad motifs, second cluster of eight offerings with a luminous boundary, fine detail on implements and attendants."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्यादष्टाहुतीरथ → दद्यात् अष्टाहुतीः अथ; पाशाङ्कुशनिवृत्तये = पाश-अङ्कुश-निवृत्तये.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 87 (atonements, astra/pāśa/aṅkuśa homa prayogas)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific homa count: five oblations with the Astra-mantra to neutralize constricting/compelling forces symbolized as pāśa (bond) and aṅkuśa (goad), followed by eight oblations to prevent further expiatory requirements.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manuals—precise mantra-linked oblation counts and their stated effects—alongside its broader coverage of theology, law, polity, and technical disciplines.
The rite is framed as a purification and protective measure: it removes binding karmic/ritual impediments and is intended to avert the necessity of additional prāyaścitta (atonement).